WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Afternoon


I only ended up spending £11.29 on paint (and masking tape). I got a huge tub of white emulsion and am going to attack the kitchen with that first.
Wasn't sure what colour I wanted anyway, so I picked up one of those leaflets with all the different colours in it. I quite like the idea of a coffee kind of colour.
At the moment its pastel pink and magnolia/cream. Yes, I know that sounds rubbish but the effect isn't actually too bad!
I have been looking at how to paint the cupboard doors too. I don't see the point in spending much money for a a house that I don't want to stay in, so painting them is a cheap alternative.
I am still waiting for my FF to be delivered. They phoned my earlier and said it'll be between 6pm-6.45pm.
Carbonara for dinner tonight, yum! I fancy some garlic bread with it too, so might pop out and get some of that


Yes Jo, the agency meeting went really well and helped me to lay all of my fears out on the table and get clear answers.
As long as I can find just 1 member of staff within the next month, all is good Thanks for the encouragement.
I can definitely imagine how that idea of the house has put you on a bit of a downer once you realised that you could not yet afford it. Was it actually buying the house that you worked out to be unaffordable, or the long term mortgage payments?

WantToBeSE

Good morning!


The weather is awful here today, so we are just going to be having a lazy day. I am still in my PJs and the Teenager is still asleep!


I fell asleep at 8pm last night, and slept through till 9am this morning. Wasn't feeling very well, upset stomach, but a bit better today.


Trying to think of cheap or free things to keep the boys entertained. Feel free to let me know of any!


New FF is working great. Its a tad slimmer than my old one, but that's fine. Means its cheaper to run and also fills up quicker!

JoJoC

Sounds great WTBSE, is it sad that I love getting new household things?

Glad you're feeling better, it's rubbish feeling ill!

Husband and I have been following slimming world.this week and both lost 4lb each I don't need to lose a lot, but I'm really chuffed as it's helping me to make healthier choices.

Just meal planning for next week now...a but stumped so hopefully Google will help.

I was in the gym this morning at 10am and got a really good workout so I'm feeling nice and motivated now!

The weather is terrible here too

Sorry, I've no idea what teenage boys like to do! What about roping them in to painting? Some gardening when the weather is nicer? Building something? Turn some kind of chore into a competition? Visit local places? Teach them to do something outdoors that you know how to do... Sorry, I'm stumped.

WantToBeSE

Good Afternoon Everyone


I have had a hectic morning! Early this morning I posted an advert for staff on 3 of the local FB selling sites (quite a few small businesses around here do the same thing) and have had over 30 responses! I didn't realise I would get so many!


So I have to start thinking seriously about budgets etc. My main concern was how to afford staff! I cant let them go out to clients before making sure their quality is up to standard.
however, the woman whose business I am taking over, has said that she needs her house cleaned every week and is happy to pay me weekly for that. Then all I'll have to pay upfront for the new staff are the other hours (4 a week) @ £8p/h.
However, because I will be sharing my work hours with them (they'll shadow me), it frees up more of my time to work more hours myself. Which is nice.


I am going to have to live off my tax credits for the first few months, and i'll not know what my income is going to be.
It'll be a very tight month or 2 (or 3) but very interesting! I'll have to learn all about employers responsibilities, paying NI and Tax as a business instead of sole trader, invoicing on a larger scale than I do at the moment, not to mention a whole host of other things!


i am relishing the challenge though!

cathybird

Gosh, WantToBeSE, are you setting up your own business? ... I'm impressed! I missed all that. What a fabulous thing to do - looking forward to hearing all about it!

Eco_Miser

Unless you're setting up a limited company, or going into a legal partnership, you'll still be a sole trader, but with employees and/or sub-contractors.

Aren't you taking over staff along with the rest of the business?

[strike]Good[/strike]Excellent luck with your venture.

WantToBeSE

cathybird wrote: »

Gosh, WantToBeSE, are you setting up your own business? ... I'm impressed! I missed all that. What a fabulous thing to do - looking forward to hearing all about it!

Hi Cathy, lovely to see you back
I have 'bought' the business from the agency. Basically, the only staff they have are me and 1 other person. Its not really generating much of an income, but it was either me buying it or me being without any work.
So I decided to go for it, and try to make a go of it. I don't know much about running a business, but I am learning as I go. The main thing is to find staff, as I already have a waiting list of clients

Eco_Miser wrote: »

Unless you're setting up a limited company, or going into a legal partnership, you'll still be a sole trader, but with employees and/or sub-contractors.

Aren't you taking over staff along with the rest of the business?

[strike]Good[/strike]Excellent luck with your venture.

There is only 1 other member of staff, and she is well known for not turning up on time, so I wont be keeping her. I am looking through her contract next week to see what happens about letting her go. I know about TUPE law, so it'll all depend on what her contract says.


Yes, you are right, i'll be acting as a ST with employees. I need 2 new employees by mid-September, and so far I have had over 40 responses to my FB advert. I am arranging interviews for next week.


But it does mean that my savings/income will be a bit unsure for the first few months, so bear with me while I muddle my way through that!

JoJoC

I don't know much about running a business myself but it all sounds positive! Well done for taking the step!

How is your week going?

WantToBeSE

Hi Jo


My week is going very well thanks, quite relaxing because I am only working today and tomorrow! However, that means not much money.
To make up for it I am working 6 days next week, Monday-Saturday.


I received my Employers Liability Certificate through the post yesterday, so I can now officially employ people! Only 2 people though, as the insurance almost doubles if I have more than 2 people.
However, for the first 12 months, 2 people will be fine, then there is me as well.
Working out a minimum amount, providing they both work 10 hours each, each employee should bring in (after wages are paid) £40 a week. So a total of £80 a week for both.
I know (judging by the response from my ad) that most employees will want a minimum of 12 hours. It doesn't seem a whole lot of money for the hassle of employing people, but I am thinking long term. After the first year, I hope to be in a position to employ another 2 people, and that's when its starts becoming more profitable.


Lots to think about and lots to do!


No news on the savings front yet, but I am not spending much which is a good thing!

JoJoC

That's great!! Happy employing!!

I'll be interviewing in a few weeks too as the team assistant just handed her notice in. That will be nice for the boss to come back to in a few weeks. Hahaha well, at least I'm getting the full managerial experience while she's away.

Glad you're not spending! The saving can wait until you're more established. I'm really excited for you!

I haven't saved any more either, we are pretty skint after our expensive fortnight off work so just paying bills and getting by.

We are out for dinner for our friend's birthday on Saturday but other than that, it should be a cheap and quiet weekend.

Can't wait until 29th when I can add some more money to the pot. I don't even know how much I'll be able to save but hoping it'll be a decent chunk. Need to do some sums.

My gymming is going well too- been three times this week so far and really enjoying it. It's great for the soul

Are your boys enjoyingtue holidays?